CVE-2012-0801 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE
lib/formslib.php in Moodle 2.1.x before 2.1.4 and 2.2.x before 2.2.1 does not properly handle multiple instances of a form element, which has unspecified impact and remote attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0801 resides within the formslib.php component of the Moodle learning management system, specifically affecting versions 2.1.x prior to 2.1.4 and 2.2.x prior to 2.2.1. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity of form processing mechanisms within the platform, potentially enabling malicious actors to exploit the system through remote attack vectors. The issue stems from the improper handling of multiple instances of form elements, which creates opportunities for unauthorized access and data manipulation.
The technical flaw manifests in the insufficient validation and processing of form elements that can appear multiple times within Moodle's form architecture. When developers or administrators create forms with repeated elements, the vulnerable code fails to properly distinguish between different instances, leading to potential cross-site scripting attacks, data injection, or privilege escalation scenarios. This weakness directly correlates with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate form data in ways that bypass normal security controls, potentially compromising the entire learning management system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to educational institutions relying on Moodle for their digital learning environments. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to execute malicious code, access sensitive user data, or manipulate course content and user permissions. The unspecified impact and attack vectors suggest that the vulnerability could enable various types of malicious activities including unauthorized administrative access, data exfiltration, or disruption of educational services. The remote nature of the attack vector means that adversaries do not need physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with internet-facing Moodle installations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of Moodle 2.1.4 or 2.2.1, respectively, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of their existing form configurations. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional protective layers while patches are deployed. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper input validation as recommended by the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual form processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and regular vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the Moodle ecosystem.